Straide is an historic and picturesque village situated in the heart of County Mayo, located between Foxford and Castlebar in the diocese of Achonry. The Cathedral town of the Diocese is Ballaghadeereen on the Mayo / Roscommon border. Straide is the birthplace of one of Ireland’s famous sons, namely Michael Davitt, founder of the Land league in 1879.

Michael Davitt was born on March 25th 1846 during the Great Famine, at a time when Straide was a place of poverty and emigration. He was christened in the pre-penal church, which today houses the Michael Davitt Musuem (www.michaeldavittmuseum.com)

Davitt and Charles Stewart Parnell formed the Land League at the end of the 19th century to abolish landlordism in Ireland and enable tenant farmers to own the land on which they worked. A plaque to his memory has been erected in the village and Davitt is buried in the grounds of the 13th Century Straide Abbey, beside the Museum.

Another famous son of Straide was George Moore (1727-1799), who founded the famous Moore Hall estate at Lough Carra.

Straide has a thriving primary school (http://straidens.com/) and a Community Centre which is used extensively by the locals. Senior citizens’ and children’s parties are held there annually. Straide is also noted for providing some very fine football teams both at senior and underage level. Our local GAA team is Moy Davitts, whilst our soccer team is known as Straide and Foxford United.

The Church of Saints Peter and Paul is situated on a hill, marking the centre of the village and is bordered on one side by the Davitt Lounge and on the other side by The Copper Beech Lounge.

Adjacent to the Church is the historic well preserved thirteenth century Dominican Abbey, a testimony to our rich heritage and to a faith-filled community which has given sons and daughters to the Priesthood and Religious life both at home and abroad. The Effegies in the Abbey are of note and are unique for their period as they depict all the images of the Saints and a Pieata with smiling faces.

Another feature of Straide is its love and promotion of traditional Irish music with many local families having attained recognition at national level, for their musical prowess and skills.